Improvement in roller-skates



116648 PATENTE JUL 41871 Epl UNITED STATES GEORGE VINCENT, OF STOCKTON,CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF TVVO-THIRDS HIS i PATENT QFFICE.

RIGHT TO WILLIAM H. VAN VLEAR AND CHARLES D. LADD, OF SAME PLACE.IMPROVEMENT IN ROLLER-SKATES.

Speciiication forming part of Letters Patent No. 116,648, dated July 4,1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE VINCENT, of the city ofStockton, county ofSan Joaquin and Sta-te et California, have invented certain Improvementsin Roller-Skates, ot' which the following is a specifica-tion:

The first part of my invention relates to the pivoted bearings for theiront roller or rollers, operated by a crank or arm rigidly attached tothe axle of the rear rollers, for the purpose of compelling acorresponding action of either the front or rear rollers by the motionot the others. The second part of my invention relates to a stop forpreventi 11g the skate from running ahead from under the ii'oot as it isusually inclined to do with persons not expert in the use ot'rollerskates.

Figure lis a longitudinal vertical section of `my invention. Fig. 2 isan end view looking from the right, as shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is abottom view ot' my invention with the rollers omitted. Fig. 4 is an endviewlooking from the left, as shown in Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a view ofthepivoted plate and hangers for the axle of the front roller or rollers,as shown from the right in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a view of the pivoted plateand hangers when arranged for two front rollers, looking from the right,as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a side view ot' same. Fig. S is a top viewof same with rollers.

G is the body of the ska-te, which I construct of metal or wood. H H Hare the rollers, of which I prefer to and do use three, one in the frontand two in the rear, but four can. be used, if desired, by the use ofthedouble hanger I, the axle J, and the trunnions k 7c for the frontrollers, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. E is a plate to which is attachedthe hangers c c for the front roller or rollers, and is pivoted on thebody of the skate at j', but is prevented from turningl i'urther than isdesired by the stop L. Upon this plate is a slotted or forked arm, D, toreceive the cra-nk C, by which the front 'roller or rollers areoperated. The crank-rod B rests in the hangers c and b b, and isattached rigidly to the rear axle A, which bears upon a plate, S,wllich'rests upon a rubber or metal spring, (l. The set-screws i i arefor the purpose of adjustingthe axle A so as to change the runningdirection of the skate, as may be desired. The stop F is a plate or rodwith a pad or cushion of rubber, or other suitable material, at thebottom of it, and nearly as low as the bot-tom ot the rear rollers.

The skate is secured to the foot in any oi' the usual modes, and therear axle being' properly adjusted by the set-screws i acting upon theplate S and the sprin d, and the foot kept level, the course oi' theskate is in line with the foot, but by rolling the foot and with it thebody of the skate either to the right or left, the rear axle A, by meansof the rod B, operates the crank C, which causes the plate E and hangera. to turn on the pivotj', thus throwing the front roller or rollers atan angle with the line of direction of the skate, thus causing therollers to describe a curve, and the elasticity ot' the spring (Icausing the rollers to return to the line ofthe foot as soon as thepressure is removed. Should there be a tendency to roll the toot eitherto the right or left, the axle A can be adjusted by the set-screws z'z', and the plate S acting upon the spring d so as to accommodate it,and at the saine time maintain the proper line oi' direction.

The stop F is designed more especially forlearners, and is to preventtheir falling backward,

owing' to the skate ruiming ahead of the body,

so as to throw its whole weight upon the rear rollers. The pad orcushion n being but slightly above the iioor when both the front andrear rollers are bearing, the raising of the front rollers, as will bedone when the skate is too far ahead ot' the body, will bring the pad orcushion in contact with the licor, imn'lediately checking the forwardmotion of the skate, and allowing the body to regain its balance., Thestop can be readily removed by removin the screw m.

I do not claim the roller nor the springs but That I do claim as myinvention, and wish to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The pivoted standards c a and plate E, in eombiliation with the crankC, the rod B, and the axle A, substantially as and for the purposeshereinbefore set forth.

2. The plate or rod F, and the pad or cushion u, substantially as andfor the purposes hereinbefore set forth.

GEORGE VINCENT. Vitnesses:

HERBERT E. HALL, GALEN C. HYATT.

